Blogging for Beginners: How to get started with blogging

Starting blogging was obviously life changing for me. Not only has it led me to so many wonderful real life friends, it has given us as a family many amazing opportunities. When I think back over the past eight years of blogging the opportunities I have enjoyed the most are often the money can’t buy experiences. This post shares the crucial information Blogging for Beginners: How to get started with blogging.

I asked the children what they have enjoyed the most. Chloe considers Summer time Ball 2016 as one of her favourite events, she enjoys the VIP experiences. Another top event is the maiden voyage on the Norwegian Escape. Dylan would say our press trip to Corsica is up there among the best. They really have been lucky!

In addition to the trips I love being able to write about things that really matter, those posts where I impart some advice like the recent post on Would and Should you take young children to funerals. Blogging really has been life changing for us. I never anticipated my hobby started on a whim would become a career choice. That I would leave the classroom and become my own boss but that is exactly what happened.

Make no mistake, taking it to this level is a huge investment. The investment is a small amount of money but a lot of time. There are not many businesses that can be started with such a minimal investment. However it is not an easy transition where you set up a blog and you then make money from the start. Also there are many bloggers who just blog as a hobby, as a creative outlet and do not intend to make money.

One question I am asked on a weekly basis is how to start. Now I had two false starts when setting up. I started on a free platform and then moved to a second free platform but quickly realised it did not give me all the tools I needed. Next I set up my own self hosted blog. I now advise people to start from the beginning with a self hosted wordpress package. This means that you own your URL and you have the freedom to design the site you want.

I am not that technical but over the years have learnt how to do some basic coding,. Also I can add widgets to my site and set up and maintain the blog. I will hold my hand up and say I pay developers now when I want something specific as I am at a stage that I need a slick, functional site. However at the start I self taught myself and that was a great start.

Blogging for Beginners: How to get started with blogging

When setting up a blog the first thing to do is consider what you are going to blog about.
Then come up with a name and check it is available. There are many very similar blog names out there which is a shame. It can confuse readers and makes t difficult to build your brand.
Look at social media and see if the handles are available for your chosen name. If they are set up the accounts, include Twitter and Instagram.
Then you can get your hosting sorted out. Hosting is where your blog lives. There are lots offering hosting but look for easy installation and a company that gives support. Bespoke WordPress Hosting packages including this one fromLCN.com/web-hosting/wordpress which makes it much easier for customers who want a straightforward way to get a website/blog online. It comes bundled with free (premium) themes from Woothemes, pre-installed plugins to improve site security, performance, and help increase traffic. LCN also provide a lot of free resources to customers who are starting out with WordPress and need some extra help: www.lcn.com/learn/introduction-to-wordpress<http://www.lcn.com/learn/introduction-to-wordpress>
Then it is time to add your content.

If you are looking for a more indepth way to get started, you need my book, co written with Lynn James. You can buy Blogging Your Way To Riches directly from our site for just £10. Forget expensive courses this is all you need to get started. Lynn and I also have a support group on Facebook where you can ask all sorts of advice on blogging. Buy the book and then request joining us for maximum support.

Lynn and I also want to support bloggers with the technical and commercial side of blogging and you can read our blogging guides and posts over on Blogging Your Way To Riches: The Blog.

We have also partnered with LCN to offer readers a great deal to get started on their blogging journey. Simply use our bespoke Promotion code: newsite20 to receive a discount. The discount is 20% off the cost of any new WordPress hosting purchase (this 20% applies to our already discounted multiyear options too) It will apply to any new purchase of a WordPress hosting package this you can sign up to with this link: www.lcn.com/web-hosting/wordpress Be quick as the code expires at midnight on the 30^th of June 2017.

Blogging has been a game changer for me and it could be for you to. If you have been thinking about it, then go for it as you never know where it could lead. Lynn has been using LCN since she started blogging and you can read about why she rates it so much in her post HOW TO SELF-HOST YOUR WEBSITE WITH LCN.